"The service we receive from Steve is top class. He is very committed and once Steve knows that we are looking to recruit he pulls out all the stops"

Sharon Daniels

Head of Financial Planning & Investments

Ealing Council

"Allen Lane identified a number of interesting opportunities that I might have passed over because they drilled into the job specification and matched it to relevant experience rather than taking it at face value. They were also very supportive throughout the interview process with preparation and feedback at each stage."

Tony Silcock

Finance Director

Coin Street Community Builders

"We appointed Allen Lane to source an interim Deputy Director of Finance and the permanent appointment. Both selected candidates have proved to be strong appointments. Maurice and Beth were both very responsive, gave good advice and partnered with us to deliver these appointments."

Ian Chivers

Director of Finance & Operations

GOSH Charity

"I would recommend Adrian without hesitation. His understanding of healthcare and network of senior contacts across the NHS are second to none in his field. What really set Adrian apart from the rest was his ability and appetite to listen to my career ambitions openly and independently, and to provide constructive challenge and insight."

David Stacey

Manager

KPMG

"Allen Lane's approach to this recruitment was professional and highly successful. Adrian quickly understood the role that I was looking to recruit to and was able to supply me with a shortlist of high quality candidates where more than one candidate was appointable. I would recommend Allen Lane to other organisations looking to recruit finance professionals."

Chay Champness

Chief Operating Officer

Croydon College

"The service I received from Allen Lane was first class and Steve is a great asset to them. He made the whole recruitment process seamless and the aftercare service was second to none. He is someone I value very much in my role as Head of Schools Finance."

Ophelia Carter

Head of Schools Finance

The Learning Trust

"Overall we felt you offered very professional service and good value for money. Although I haven't had any direct feedback I get the impression that you also looked after the unsuccessful candidates which is important for us"

Colin Heaton

Head of Human Resources

Coin Street Community Builders

"Allen Lane provides a high quality and friendly service in helping us fill our staffing needs on both a temporary and permanent basis. They take time to find out is required in a candidate and ensure that, as well as having excellent technical skills that they will fit in the culture of the finance team and the organization"

Lisa Marsh

Head of Financial Management

CNWL

"The quality of the candidates and their suitability for the role are the key things that we look for, and have got that from Allen Lane, so we don't have to shortlist ourselves. We are always kept up to date on progress...the service is always friendly and helpful."

Mike Piercy

Deputy Director of Finance

Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust

"After the departure of our long serving Head of Finance, Allen Lane listened to our needs and provided us with a number of strong candidates, mainly from the private sector. They provided advice, flexibility and an excellent service and we appointed from the first round of interviews."

Mike Wilkins

Chief Executive

Chair, G20 Group of Housing Associations

"I found it extremely helpful that Allen Lane quickly understood the role that I was looking to recruit to and were able to supply me with a short list of high quality candidates who were genuinely interested in the role. I've recommended them in the past and continue to do so."

Jason Beauchop

Assistant Director of Finance

Northwest London Specialised Commissioning Group

"Allen Lane took great care and time over this piece of recruitment and their expertise meant that they could identify candidates that would really fit into the Innisfree family. Allen Lane went above and beyond our expectations throughout the process. I would unreservedly recommend Allen Lane and look forward to working with them in the future."

John Delahunty

Chief Executive

Innisfree Housing Association

"I was impressed that at the outset Allen Lane wanted to meet me to discuss my experience and aspirations rather than rely on telephone conversations and a CV alone. Taking this time early on meant the opportunities recommended were a good match from both the recruiter's perspective and mine. I have already recommended Allen Lane to both job seekers and employers."

Harriet Jones

Director of Finance & Resources

Asthma UK

"I am delighted to give Allen Lane a testimonial. We have had a number of vacant positions in the past, mainly for qualified Finance Manager positions. Allen Lane's team is helpful and friendly when helping us with recruitment. I definitely recommend them."

Mohammad Famili

Director

Medical Research Council

"We thought that we received value for money through a professional, timely and knowledgeable service and we believe that we found a great FD through your channeling"

Martin McCann

Chief Executive

RedR

"Allen Lane was successful in positioning me in my new role as a development accountant. I felt Allen Lane gave me a personalised service. They provided not only suitable roles that suit both my skill set and experience, but also advice on interviews and improvements to my CV. I would and have already recommended Allen Lane to friends and ex-colleagues."

Natalie Riley

Development Accountant

Central & Cecil

"The whole process from registration to being offered was very quick, simple and efficient... most helpful in selecting only suitable roles... I would have no problem in recommending Allen Lane to any friends, colleagues or organisations."

Amit Patel

Head of Management Accounts

Moorfields Eye Hospital

"We have used Allen Lane to help fill a number of permanent and temporary roles. Adrian and his team understand the type of person we are looking for and provide a range of candidates with a variety of experience who fit the brief. We have been very pleased with people we have recruited through Allen Lane and I would happily recommend them to others."

Nicola Arnold

Director Financial Control & Analysis

University College London

"Using Allen Lane, we have successfully recruited people into five senior posts in the last six months. Once you have a clear understanding of the type of person you are looking for, there is no better way of finding the perfect candidate than by having a discussion with Allen Lane."

Ian Knott

ex Director of Finance

Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

"It is always reassuring to find a recruitment company you can work with which is totally reliable and genuinely makes the effort to find the right candidate for the client as opposed to the right commission figure to help meet their end of month targets"

Jonathan O'Shea

Chief Executive

St John's Hospital Bath

"I have used Allen Lane to recruit to a number of Human Resources posts within Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust. Even for the hard to fill posts in E-Rostering and Medical Staffing they have provided me with a range of high calibre candidate and I have never failed to appoint. They provide a prompt personal service, taking the time to discuss the role with me to ensure they source the right candidate. I would highly recommend Allen Lane to other organisations."

Sue Winter

Deputy Director of Human Resources

Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust

"Allen Lane helped us appoint a Head of Finance. Maurice put together a very impressive short list which led to the appointment of a really great candidate. The service provided throughout the appointment process was excellent."

Andrew Whitehead

Director of Finance

Marie Curie Cancer Care

"Steve McKenzie has found me a Head of Finance to cover maternity leave and a Head of People Management to cover a vacancy. These have both been extremely successful appointments"

Christina Thompson

Divisional Director Resources

London Borough of Lambeth

"Whether a client or candidate you can be sure that your relationship with Allen Lane will be individual, rewarding and importantly long lasting. I've known James in particular going on for 8 years, as a client he's helped me to recruit high calibre finance teams and as a candidate he's placed me in a number of challenging and CV enhancing roles. My individual circumstances and requirements are always understood and my expectations met through high quality service."

Craig Roberts

Senior Interim Manager

Ministry of Justice

"Allen Lane were able - very quickly and effectively - to really appreciate our business needs in our finance transformation project. Working as a collaborative partner they were then able to present a diverse selection of high calibre, top quality candidates to meet those needs."

Colin Bailey

Finance Director

Goodenough College

"Adrian has extensive knowledge of all aspects of the NHS, organisationally, culturally and at a more personal level. I found this to be invaluable when evaluating a transition into the NHS from the private sector. Adrian's experience in recruitment means he can question and challenge motivations and ambition intelligently ensuring the candidate and the organisation align. I would recommend Adrian to anyone who wishes to progress their career in the NHS."

Naomi Morris

Head of Finance

Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

"Allen Lane have always provided an excellent service for myself and the Trust in finding the best candidates for roles. All the candidates that are recommended are thoroughly appraised and are of a high calibre."

Roshan Patel

Deputy Director of Finance

West Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust

"I have found Allen Lane to be an excellent business partner. I have been particularly impressed by their speed of response and knowledge of the market. It is also refreshing to deal with the same team over a long period of time so that a good relationship can be developed."

Paul Thomson

Deputy Finance Director

Notting Hill Housing Association

"We appointed Allen Lane to help us secure a Finance Director, a new appointment in our growing organisation. Maurice met with us, listened to our needs and challenged in areas we had not fully reconciled. His knowledge of the sector and research into suitable candidates led to an excellent shortlist. He supported us every step of the way. We have been able to appoint someone that met our criterion and who is fitting in really well to our organisation."

Sue Medway

Commercial and Operations Director

Design Museum

"I first started working with Allen Lane in the spring of 2008 when we were recruiting a Director level finance person. They weren't one of our senior finance suppliers at that stage but, due to their sheer accuracy and professionalism, they now are. Lester Fernando is excellent and I would heartily recommend him and Allen Lane."

Andrew Kennedy

HR Manager, Recruitment & Retention

Metropolitan Housing Partnership

"It's been an absolute pleasure working with Allen Lane, who've now placed me on two occasions. I've found Adrian to be very professional and personable, providing frequent updates and making what can be an anxious process, run very smoothly. Thank you!"

John Daveney

Finance Manager

Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust

"I found it extremely positive working with you on the search for the new Finance Director. I certainly would have no hesitation in recommending you at all"

Lynn Thomas

Deputy Director General

IPPF

"We were very pleased with the manner in which Allen Lane handled the recruitment of our new Finance Director. They showed a quick grasp of the key features of our organisation, and the distinctly unusual aspects involved. The end result was an excellent candidate, who has settled into the role in the most exemplary way. The professionalism shown by the Allen Lane team gave us a smooth passage."

Martin Johnson

Director

The Thalidomide Trust

"Adrian Watts has provided me with excellent support throughout the last few years of my career. He has an exceptional knowledge of NHS finance and is keen to make sure that any employment opportunities are suited to my skills, experience and ambitions. His support doesn't begin and end with the recruitment process, but is ongoing, maintaining a keen interest in how my career is progressing, regularly providing advice, and listening and responding to any issues I may have."

Graham Henry

Finance & Contracting Lead

KHP

"The service provided by Allen Lane has been professional and to a very high standard ensuring our needs were fully met. The excellent personable skills provided by Liam were carried through to the candidates they provided."

We are seeking exceptional candidates who are about to complete or have recently completed their professional accountancy qualifications, for x10 new posts in the Department for Education Finance team. You will be joining at a thoroughly exciting period of substantial change during the implementation of a new operating model, bringing finance closer to the heart of decision making in DfE.

The work of the Department for Education is at the heart of the Prime Minister’s agenda to make Britain a country that works for everyone. With its newly expanded role across the entire education system – including skills, further and higher education alongside schools and early years’ education – the Department is central to the Government’s social mobility and economic agendas. Encompassing the Government Equalities Office (GEO), the Department also supports the Secretary of State in her role as Minister for Women and Equalities.

X10 SEO grade finance roles:

x4 Assistant Business Partners;

x3 Financial Strategy Advisors;

x2 Financial Reporting Executives; and

x1 Estates Accounting & Control Lead

Darlington, Manchester, Sheffield, Coventry and London

Senior Executive Officer £38,755 - £42,852 SEO London

Senior Executive Officer £35,058 - £38,657 SEO National

Role Summaries:

Assistant Finance Business Partner (x4)

The role of finance business partners is becoming increasingly important in supporting the Policy Teams with decision making and delivering value for money across government. The Assistant Finance Business Partner will work as part of the Finance Business partner team in delivering excellence in analysis, decision making and financial control. A key aspect of the role is regular dealings with budget leads and Directors to assist with issues in their policy areas and finding solutions, assessing the financial impacts from policy decisions, and advising on budget management. In addition, the role holder is responsible for ensuring financial information is collated and reported accurately within finance systems and that risk and opportunities to the wider group position are clearly understood. Responsibilities will include:

Supporting sound budget management

Ensure budget holders are clear on their allocated budgets and their targets for managing them

Proactive work with the business to ensure accurate budget forecasts are received and are correctly reflected on the systems

Ensure a smooth monthly reporting process

Challenging and scrutinising information to ensure credibility in the numbers

Championing financial awareness and financial management across the business

Informing policy development in the group

Financial Strategy Advisor (x3)

The DfE Financial Strategy Unit aims to secure the right funding to deliver the Department’s priorities to ensure that the Department keeps within that budget and to get the best possible value for money for each pound that the Department spends. The team demands a mix of skills, in particular the ability to build and maintain excellent relationships; to exercise judgement and discretion based on limited information; and attention to detail in financial management.

The postholder will:

Manage and co-ordinate fiscal events (Autumn Budget and Spring Statement), leading policy teams through the process of securing funding for the Government’s strategic priorities for education; and leading negotiations with Treasury.

Work to ensure that the Department’s forecasts for the Spending Review period are accurate and the main drivers of the Department’s spending are understood. This involves working closely with policy colleagues and finance business partners.

Financial Reporting Executive – Role 1

The Academies Financial Reporting division leads delivery of the Academy Sector Annual Report and Accounts (SARA) which involves the annual consolidation of over 3,000 academy trusts. This is one of the biggest consolidations in the world, involving management of a large supplier contract and close working with multiple stakeholders (including IT and academies) to continuously improve processes.

We are seeking a CCAB qualified, high performing SEO to take a role in the team leading the accounts production process. This will involve:

day-to-day management of the overarching project plan – aiming to bring forward laying of the accounts a number of months;

The jobholder will be part of the team delivering the Better Financial Reporting project. This quick-moving project aims to improve how we collect and use financial information from organisations we work with, such as academy trusts. The role will require an individual able to work at pace and with a strong set of analytical skills. There will be close working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, with a particular focus on understanding how financial information flows can support the business to make better decisions.

Estates Accounting & Control Lead

This role will proactively manage the budget and associated transactions for the Estates and Security function. We are moving to a shared service model for both Estates and Security, from separate suppliers, so need an experienced finance manager to oversee the budgets and transactions. The duties for the role are:

Effectively manage the Estates and Security budgets

Provide control and management of building lease transactions

Execute and oversee transactions for services and projects

Manage delegated authority processes to enable transactions to be completed by MoJ and Home Office colleagues

Assist with budget planning and profiling

Provide accurate, relevant status reports to Head of function/Director

Key Competences for these roles

Leading & communicating

Managing a quality service

Delivering at pace

Collaborating & Partnering

For further information, please contact Tim Salmon or Michael Quest at Allen Lane on 0203 031 9634. There is an informative link you can request, providing a more comprehensive breakdown of the context of this role/the department.

Reserve List: If we receive applications from more suitable candidates than we have vacancies for at this time, we may hold suitable applicants on a reserve list for 12 months, and future vacancies in the Civil Service requiring the same skills and experience could be offered to candidates on the reserve list without a new competition.

To Apply:

You will need to submit your CV, completed application/diversity form and cover letter (more information available via